CONTINENTAL LINE Safety Guide to Black Powder
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CONTINENTAL LINE Safety Guide to Black Powder GENERAL GUIDELINES These guidelines apply to the use of Black Powder firearms for historical demonstration purposes by Continental Line (C.L.) Member Units. "Member Units" mean an organization that is recognized by the C.L. and is officially enrolled as such, or any unit that is a guest of the C.L. "Demonstration" means the loading and firing of a black powder weapon, for the purpose of public education, under the direction of a Safety Officer. Every Member Unit is required to have a Safety Officer. This individual is thoroughly knowledgeable of the Safety Standard and Guide to Black Powder. This individual is directly responsible for the weapons and/or Artillery Piece and how they are used by the members of their own Unit. This individual is answerable to the C.L. for any compromise or violation of these Guidelines, and has signed a statement declaring such. Only two types of weapons may be fired by Member Units: muzzleloading black powder flintlocks, and full-scale muzzleloading cannons. Pistols may NOT be fired in demonstrations except by Mounted Troops with approval of the Field Commander. Edged weapons, swords, knives, tomahawks, etc. must always be considered dangerous. Except for use as a camp tool, they should never be unsheathed. The two types of weapon demonstrations permitted are; Individual Demonstrations and Tactical Demonstrations. Individual Demonstrations are demonstrations during which a single weapon is loaded and fired by a member or, in the case of a cannon, a crew of members. Tactical Demonstrations are those where two or more weapons are loaded and fired under simulated battle conditions. This includes but is not limited to, reenactments in which opposing forces face each other. An individual who operates a muzzleloaded black powder weapon in an Individual Demonstration must be trained and the weapon inspected prior to use by a Safety Officer. A Unit participation in a Tactical Demonstration (including reenactments) must have present, during the demonstration, at least one member who is a Safety Officer. INDIVIDUAL DEMONSTRATION 1. The only weapons authorized for Individual Demonstrations are muzzleloaded black powder shoulder arms. These include flintlock muskets, rifles, musketoons, and carbines. Pistols may be demonstrated only by Mounted Troops. 2. A minimum of two members must be present for an Individual Demonstration. One to operate the weapon and another to provide crowd control and watch for safety. Either member may address the public. Each must be at least 16 years old. All Individual Demonstrations must have prior approval of a Safety Officer. 3. The Individual Demonstration must be held in an area as detailed in the appended diagram for Individual Demonstration Range 4. The weapon being demonstrated is subject to inspection by a Safety Officer using the appending checklist. - 1 - 5. Blank charges are not to exceed the maximum load designated in the appended Table of Maximum Loads for the particular weapon used. 6. Muskets are to be loaded from pre-wrapped paper cartridges prepared according to correct period procedures. Aluminum foil, coin wrappers and metal staples, etc, are not to be used. 7. Wadding is permitted for Individual Demonstrations but NOT in Tactical Demonstrations. 8. The demonstrator must carry cartridges in an authentic leather or leather and wood block cartridqe box, worn well around on the right hip. The demonstrator must take care that the flap is kept down except when the cartridge is being withdrawn. Extreme care must be taken when carrying a belly box. 9. Rifles may be loaded with powder from horns, however, the powder of the main charge must first be poured into a powder measure conforming to the Table of Maximum Loads, then poured into the muzzle. The main charge must never be poured directly from the horn into the barrel. Riflemen must carry loose powder in a well maintained horn that is kept stoppered. 10. When loading and firing, the demonstrator will follow the correct manual for the type of weapon being fired. Riflemen who do not have a prescribed manual will follow safe procedures. 11. It is the responsibility of the non-shooting demonstrator to see that the shooter observes correct loading and firing procedures. 12. At NO time is the demonstrator to surrender control of the weapon to a member of the public. A visitor may feel the heft of the weapon while the demonstrator holds the sling. Likewise, edged weapons must remain under the control of the demonstrator. 13. Tomahawk and knife throwing demonstrations are permitted under supervision of the Safety officer. The appended Artillery Demonstration Range will be the safety standard. At NO time will any member of the public be allowed to fire a weapon and at no time will a demonstrator carry live ammunition. ARTILLERY DEMONSTRATION Cannons are extremely dangerous to load and fire. Cannons may be demonstrated by members only under the direct supervision of a Safety Officer. The Safety Officer and the Gun Commander should be one in the same. 1. Ideally a cannon crew will have six (6) or more members, but no gun will be operated with less than four (4). The members of the crew are: The Gun Commander - This man has overall command of the gun and crew. He is responsible for giving commands and assuring that crew members execute their duties correctly and safely. He does not normally take part in any of the loading or firing activities. If he does serve the gun, he will only serve as Gunner #1. Gunner #1 - (Firer) This job is to maintain the linstock and to touch off the charge when ordered by the Gun Commander. - 2 - Gunner #2 - (Vent Tender) This man stops (tends) the vent to be sure NO air escapes during worming, sponging and loading. He picks open the charge with a priming wire and priming the piece. This man must have a leather thumbstall to protect his thumb from the heat of the gun while tending the vent. This position is critical to safe operation of the piece, and should always be manned by an experienced Artillerist. Gunner #3 - (Ram & Sponge) This man sponges the piece and rams home the cartridge. He must always be sure the sponge is in good condition and that there is water for the artillery bucket. This man is required to wear heavy duty welder's gloves for protection while performing his duties. It is the most dangerous position on the crew and, must exercise extreme caution at all times. Like #2, this position should always be served by an experienced crew member. Gunner #4 - (worm & Loader) This man's job is to extract the spent cartridge casing (search the piece), and to place the new round in the muzzle for #3 to ram (charge the piece). Gunner #5 - (Powder Handler) This man's job is to remove the powder box to a secure position before the piece is fired, and to bring each round forward to #4 for loading. He is also responsible for manning the tiller for aiming the gun, and guarding the powder box at all times. Gunner #6 - (Powder Handler) This man is charged with the security on the powder box at all times. Any additional gunners perform duties as assigned (pulling the gun, relieving casualties during tactical demonstrations, etc.) In case of a four man crew, Gunner #4 will double as #5. Gunner #4 should never carry extra rounds in the pass-box, as he will be close to the piece when it fires. For guns without a removable ammunition box (gallopers), the crew must always be certain that the side lockers are closed and latched. NOTE: the members of the various positions are arbitrary, and serve-only to list the necessary crew-members for any gun. 2. Cannons used in firing demonstrations must be full-scale reproductions and must conform to the specifications in the Cannon Inspection Checklist. Original cannons may be used provided they too, conform to the same checklist. 3. All drill performed by the Artillery crew is subject to the approval of a Safety Officer using the Artillery Checklist. 4. Ammunition for artillery is to be prepared off-site of the demonstration or in an approved laboratory under the Safety Officer's supervision. Cartridges are to be made of at least 3 thicknesses of heave gauge aluminum foil made around a former of a width corresponding to the bore of the Gun they are to be used with. Powder charges shall not exceed the specifications in the appended Table of Maximum Loads. 5. Demonstrations will be held in an area that conforms to the appended Range Diagram for Cannon Firing. 6. ALL FIRING SHALL BE WITH A LINSTOCK AND SLOW MATCH. Quills are preferred, black powder priming acceptable. Port-fires will not be used. - 3 - TACTICAL DEMONSTRATION Tactical Demonstrations are inherently more dangerous than Individual Demonstrations for several reasons; 1. The number of demonstrators involved. 2. The close proximity of demonstrators to each other. 3. In the case of reenactments, the fact weapons are being discharged at opposing forces. 4. The greater difficulty in observing safety violations. To assure maximum safety for demonstrators and visitors, the following standards will govern Tactical Demonstrations; 1. Participants in the Tactical Demonstrations shall be limited to members of the Continental line. 2. Shooters must be at least 16 years old. 3. Each unit shall have at least one member who has been appointed as a Safety Officer. 4. Weapons, ammunition, ammunition containers and weapon drill are subject to inspection by a Safety Officer who has the power to require correction of incidents of non-compliance with these Guidelines. 5.